Off Track = Being a Full-Time Mommy!

So as the title shows...I am off-track! Just in time...I was needing a break. I love what I do and teaching my kiddos, but juggling that with being a mom is very hard and stressful at times. I feel like if I am doing well in one area, then the other suffers. So for the next three weeks, I am a mommy...a mommy to the three greatest girls who deserve 100% of me! First up, we finally got our house painted. I do not have a before picture, but it was a peachy color with gross green trim. I have not liked it since we moved here 5 years ago, but we just couldn't do it until now. It is like I live in a different house, so I just had to share.

I also got to go out for a "girls-night" which was a much needed evening out for me! These nights are very few and far between for me. We did "Canvas and Cocktails"! Here is what I painted. What a fun night and I will definitely do that again!

This week we headed to a park. We love the park...any park! What a great (free) outing!

Emma is my cautious one, so when she climbed this she was so proud of herself!

We have been sick around here as well. The week before I tracked-off we had the stomach flu go through all of us. Now it is colds. Mallory has her third ear infection and Emma is by far the worse off. Pretty sure she has croup, but we are in the middle of the weekend so will have to wait until Monday to get medicine from the Dr. Poor girl! This was her all day today! We just hung out on the couch and watched movies.

Speaking of Emma and her sickies. We headed to the ear, nose, and throat Dr. to see about tubes for her ears because she has had so many ear infections. (she has had 5 in the past 8 months) . Here she is eating an ice cream cone while we waited for our appointment. And the verdict is...she is right on the fence...we could go either way with tubes. He said that if she gets another ear infection in the next few months--then tubes definitely. Until then we will just wait. So that appointment was Monday and Tuesday is when she woke up with her cold. So probably an ear infection is next. We will see what Monday brings for her.

We also headed to the zoo this week with Knox and Kasey. One of our favorite places!

Mallory's first Popsicle!

Still loving the sand box

Last weekend Josh got the Chiminaah (have no idea how to spell that!) up and going and we enjoyed a little fire after it got dark. We roasted a few marshmallows. Then Josh and I put the girls to bed and enjoyed a couple of beers and some "us" time.

That's all for now! I still have two more weeks off, so more fun to come!

Manis, Pedis, Dance Party and Slumber Party!!!

My friend Jamie has a daughter named Essence. Her and Jamie are with us all the time...and are basically family! So--when Jamie asked Essence about who she wanted at her birthday it was my girls and my nieces. These are who she is around the most! Well, my girls are too little to really have a sleepover at someone's house (obviously!) so we did it her at our house. It was a fun "girly-girl" night! Josh and my dad were the only boys allowed!We started the celebration with manis and pedis at Sweet and Sassy! Emma got to go, but her little sisters had to stay at home. Look at her get her toes done!

My niece Katy and Essence. Such cuties!

My niece Hope. Even though she is a lot older then the other girls...I'm pretty sure she had just as good of a time as the little girls!

This was before anyone came over. Emma and Kaylee are helping with some decorations.

Here everyone is enjoying dinner, and then cake and ice cream.

Present Time! This was the year of the "Monster High" barbies for Essence. She is dressed up as one as well!

And then the dance party begins! We got the Wii game Just Dance...what a great game and we all had fun!

After dancing the three older girls slept in one our extra rooms in the basement...all together in the same bed. So cute! All of the girls had so much fun! I am sure this is the first of many slumber parties to come in our future.

Happy 1st Birthday to Mallory!!!

Our sweet little Malla-Boo turned 1 year old on the 19th! Man that year went fast! I know I probably say that with all of the girls...but I really do not know where this year went. Wasn't Mallory just a little baby? and now... -She is walking...no more crawling, if she falls she gets right back up on her feet -She is "talking" non-stop and telling us all kinds of stories -She is eating everything we are eating (for the most part) and HAS to feed herself -She can hold her own with her two sisters... and can be a bully to them even though she is the little one! -She has a great giggle and smile! -She is very easy-going and just a sweet baby. -She weighs 21 lbs. (59%) -She is 30 in. long (78%) She finally grew in her length! -Her head is 17.87 in. (59%)

The day of Mallory's actual birthday was pretty low key. I had work and the girls were at daycare. That evening we had spaghetti for dinner and cupcakes for dessert! Mallory had a couple of presents to open from friend who couldn't make the party.

Of course her older sisters were there to celebrate with her!

Here is the day of her party. I never got a really good picture of Mallory and she had on the cutest outfit from my mom with a tutu skirt...oh well!

We had her party at a park with a splash pad. Too bad the weather wasn't the warmest...not bad just not water weather...but that didn't stop the kiddos from going in!

Here is Ms. One-derful herself enjoying her cupcake!

Present time!

I did Jimmy John's sandwiches, cupcakes, and ice cream sandwiches for lunch...so very easy on my part!

Here are a few of Miss Mallory's guests. Miss Sarah who is our newest little friend!

My brother and his family, Kasey (my friend since age 6), and Katy my niece.

My friend Kristin (again...a friend from forever...elementary school) and her cute family! Her husband Jason, Sons Easton and Dalton, and daughter Autumn.

My friend Kelli (AGAIN---have known her since elementary school) and her husband Johnny and her kiddos Connor and Sarah.

Those were all the pics I got! Nana and Grandpa Buck were also there. Along with Grandpa Oscar and Auntie Anna and Uncle James. Also, my nephew Robby and Aunt Maile. Jamie and Essence were also there! Hopefully I got everyone! It was a great day celebrating with family and friends. I am thankful every day that Mallory is a part of our lives. I cannot imagine life without her! Mallory had a great day and to think this was just the first of many parties to come for her!!!